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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Back in late spring my dear dear friends, the M family, wanted to know some of my favorite casual inexpensive places to eat on Oah'u. After sharing the list of my absolute favorites, I started getting a few requests here and there for the list. Requests have started to trickle in more frequently from all corners of my existesphere. So, for my readers, here is my list. Created with I, G, O and T (natch) in mind, but good for anyone who likes to eat. The list skews heavily in favor of Honolulu. My family lives there so that's where we hang out for the most part.

Ono Seafood

Best poke on the island, IMO. It's a walk up counter, no seats. Get poke and other items for a picnic or your hotel room. Have a picnic on the beach. I always get some to bring home with me for a meal on the plane.

Ate here with a group of just coming of age young men on my last visit for my brother's 21st birthday dinner. We were starving after a long hike straight uphill. No one in Hawaii cares if you are a little trail worn.

Hands down best izakaya on the island. You will need a reservation. People think it's a little spendy, but I don't think it's any spendier than izakaya in L.A. and it's very pretty. About to do a blog post on it, actually. Don't miss the fried chicken.

My folks have been coming here FORever. Yelp reviews aren't great, but I have always thought it's super fantastic. Very simple. Should be convenient for you. Not glamourous, but very good. Lots of Japanese people/families in here. Dad always calls for a reservation, but this might be because he knows them.

One of my dad's girlfriend's favorite places. French wine bar in Honolulu! If they are having the art walk while you are in town, go here and eat then stroll the packed streets of Chinatown and check out the art and businesses. I wouldn't venture into this neighborhood super late at night. But anytime before 10 pm and you are fine. I also wouldn't go into any of the bars in Chinatown unless it's art walk night. We made this mistake once. Haoles/mainlanders not welcome.

For a treat. These are both kinda fancy, but not as fancy as Alan Wong's. Both are located in dept stores in Ala Moana. Mariposa is located in the Neiman Marcus, and the Pineapple Room is inside of Macy's (Macy's at Ala Moana is actually a nice store). GREAT food at both.

Also in Ala Moana. GREAT place for lunch or breakfast with a nice view of the ocean and Ala Moana beach. The walls are all open and it's on the third floor. Lots of tiny birds fly in to pick up crumbs off the ground. It sounds totally unsanitary but it's actually really charming.

I am adding this to the list for blog readers. This is our favorite sports bar in town. If we are in for any major sports event (NBA playoffs, U.S. Open, etc) we always meet Dad here for a few drinks and some mediocre appetizers. This is a sports bar in paradise. If you are at Ala Moana shopping, head up to the top floor where the sit down restaurants are and have a potent mai tai here enjoying open air seating and misters on very hot days.